Diabetes is one of the most common medical conditions in the United States. Diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to manage glucose properly. As a result, these high levels of glucose circulating in the blood damage blood vessels all over the body.
When the blood vessels in the eye become damaged, these blood vessels can bleed and lead to the formation of small plaques on the back of the eye, known as the retina. New and abnormal blood vessels may grow and scars can develop on the retina. This leads to impaired vision and can even cause the retina to become detached, as the scar tissue contracts and pulls on the retina.
There are several treatments available for diabetic retinopathy, and this will depend on the form and severity you have. Examples include various laser procedures which help stop blood vessels from leaking and addressing scar tissue that has formed. In certain cases, your opthalmologist will need to make an incision in the eye and delicately remove scar tissue and will replace the gel like material in the eye known as the vitreous. Your ophthalmologist will discuss the different treatment options with you.
